Dishwasher



F. w. KENT 2,513,567

DISHWASHER July 4, 1950 Filed June 4, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l fid ici Miami 6mg, w 7

July 4, 1950 F. w. KENT 2,513,567

DISHWASHER Filed June 4, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet 2 o ziiomeys.

F. W. KENT July 4, 1950 DISHWASHER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 4, 1947 Mrne gs,

Patented July 4, 1950 UNITED STATES PATT [CE DISHWASHER.

Frederick. W. Kent, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application June 4, 1947, Serial No. 752,305-

4- Claims.

This invention relates to.a, dish washer.

The invention is of the general. type of dish washer which is attached to a faucet and contains abar of soap, wash water'being directed over the soap: and then onto the dishes to be washed, which maybe held in a trayin the sink. A flexible hose and spray means is included for spraying the water directlyonto the dishes. It isa. small device and canbe attached quickly to the faucet, andwhen-not in use, may. be taken of? and'the faucet then used in the ordinary manner. The device includes a valve which in one position' directs water. through the device and on to the soap and then on to the dishes; in another position of the valve, water is by-passed around the soap for rinsing the dishes; and in'a third-p sition of'the valve, the device is drained.

An important object of the present invention is an arrangement for producing an intense sudsing action with a minimum amount of water used. This action is accomplished by directing the water onto the soap. many times inpassing through the soap chamber. Included in this arrangement is the elimination of'solid streams of water being directed onto'the soap; instead, the wash water is directed onto the soap from all angles, contacting a greater area of 'the soap, and augmenting the sudsing action.

Another important feature of the present invention is a. simple and efficientvalve for controlling the passagev ofthe-water, that is, through the soap container or by-passing the soap. container.

Still another advantageous feature of the, invention'is an improved meansvfor attaching, the device-to awaterfaucet;

An additional advantage is a new dish spray theedevice, the fiexiblehose and dish spray means becomes-hot; and my new: type of insulator en,- ablesthe user tograsp the hose without feelingthe heat from the water.

With these'and other obj ects-in View, my-invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement;

and combination of, the various parts of device whereby the objects contemplatedare attained; s hereinat er-mo u y set o th, pain ed out in mypclaims. and illustrated: in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig; 1 is a side'view of; the dish washer of: invent-ion;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the device;

Fig. 3- is a 'bottom .-.view. of the same;

Fig. 4 is an enlargedvertical sectional view'of valve for controlling-thefiow-of wash water.

Figs. and 11' show modified spring clamps for securing thecover for the soap chamber in place, and for seeming thedish washer to'the faucet; and I Fig. 12-is an-enlarged' -view taken on line lZ-l 2 Referring indetail toithe drawings, the device is shown applied: to a. water faucet: l2, and includes as its principalelements, a" dish washerproper [4, an inlet tube 16, and a flexible hose t8? forming an outlet. The. device includes a circular base '20; a. bottom extension 2| and having a flared wall ZZ'eXtending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom extension 21:. 22 terminates in axially extending flanges 24 and 26"w-hic'h form an annular channel 28; 30; preferably of glass or other transparent material', is seated on a sealing means 32 placed in the channel '28; and forms a soapcontainer 33' with the base 202- A yoke formed of spring material', and having a turned -in extension 36' on each end, is-secured: to. the base 20, the extensions fitting intoopenings 38? on opposite sides of the base. A lever and? cam device 40. is secured on the yoke 3.4 and: engages in a depression 44 in a projection 42 on the topof' the glass. dome 30, for

securing the dome in place onxthewasher.

The base 2051s provided with a centrally upwardly extending boss 4%; surrounding which is an annu-larrde'pressicn; 45L tral threaded opening '48; for the reception of a stud 50,. Welded to, the upper end of the stud -is a: hollow plate 52; The periphery of the upper surface of the hollow pl=ate-52 is bevelled as indicated at 53:.

The undersurface of; the bottom extension .21 of'the base 210- has formedgtherein a circular recess; 54 for-the reception of a disc-valvei'fi, which is closed by; a cap 58. The valve 56 has an axial im ns c iess; than: the recess. S t and is held'in A dome The-boss 46 has a cenplace in the recess by means of a projection 50 formed on the inner surface of the cap 58. The surrounding surfaces of the recess 54 and the projection 68 form a liquid tight seal for the valve 56; no packing is necessary to seal it further and a shim 6| is interposed for accurately spacing the cap 58.

Wash water leading from the tube I6 enters through bore 62 in the cap 58, then through various passages in the valve 56, which will be described later, then through bore 64 formed centrally of the boss 46, and finally through bore 66 in the stud 50. From the bore 66 the water emerges into the interior of the hollow plate 52 from which it passes into the interior of the dish washer, through a plurality of holes 68 formed in the bevelled surface 53 and spaced around its periphery. A cake of soap 76 is placed on the hollow plate 52 over which the wash water passes.

When the deviceis in use the level of water therein rises to 1 approximately the level of the line'II,'or, 'a short distance above the holes 68. The reason for this, and the result, will be described later. The wash 'waterafter passing over the soap and forming suds, is discharged out through the passages in the valve 56 into opening I2 formed radially in the bottom extension 2I of thebase 20. The flexible hose I8 leads from the opening I2, being secured thereto by means of a spud I6. The hose I8 has fixed on its outer end a nozzle 18 by means of another spud 80. The nozzle I8 hasa plurality of openings 82 formed in its outer end. An insulating device in the form of a cylindrical piece of tubing 84 surrounds and is attached to the nozzle I8, as indicated at 86, and covers a'portion of the flexible hose I8. The section of tubing 86 is spaced from the hose I8 the greater part of its distance for insulating the hand of the user against heat from the hot water used in washing dishes. The hose l8 and insulator 84 may be ofany material which is flexible, but inthe present case pl'as tic is preferably employed. I

A horizontal extension or leg 88 is secured to the lower end of the tube I6'and is provided with a central bore 90 communicating with the interior of the tube I6, and at its opposite end having a vertical bore 92. An annularchannel-M is formed around the bore 92 inthe upper surface of the leg 88'into which is inserted a sealing means 96 for engaging the open end of the water faucet I2. An annular ring 88 surrounds the downwardly extending portion of the water faucet I2Hand is secured in place thereon by screws I spaced therearound; A sprin yoke I02 is swingably secured in the ring-98, by means of inturned extensionsand extendsbelow the lower surface/of the leg88. An adjusting screw 0 I 04 inthe extended end of the yoke I 02 engages the under-surface ioff-theleg88 for securing it onto the faucet I2; thus the dishwasher is supported on'the" faucet by the upright tube Hi. When the dish washer is not in use it'is removed from the" faucet, the yoke I 02 is swung up to the dotted line position as indicated at I06, and the faucetusedin the normal manner although the 3 ring 98"remains' on it. V

The construction of the valve 56 is shown in" sectioniinFigrer and in Figs. '7, 8 and 9, the latter-figures showing the various'operating posi- 1 tionsof the valve." The valve is provided with 1 an axial bore H2 ositioned radially to register I with the bore 62 leading from the inlet tube I63 Communicating with the bore H2 and for-med in the upper surface of the valve is a radially extending groove II4 leading to the center of the valve where it registers with the bore 64. A circumferential channel H6 is formed in the upper surface of the valve and extends a portion of the periphery thereof. At one end of the channel I I 6 is an opening I I 8, and at the opposite end is another opening I20, both of which extend axially through the valve. Formed. centrally of the lower surface of the valve 56 is a squared recess I22 adapted to receive a squared head I24 on the upper end of a shaft I26, which is rotatably mounted centrally in the cap 58 and extends therethrough. A handle I26 is fixed in the lower end of the shaft I26 for rotating the shaft and the valve.

A bore I30 leads downwardly from the annular depression 41, communicates with the peripheral channel I I6 in the valve 56 in certain positions of the valve, and provides an outlet from the chamber 33. Another bore I32 leads downwardly from the annular depression 41, and registering therewith is a bore I34 in the cap 58. In a certain position of the valve 56, the opening I20 registers with both the bores I32 and I34 and provides a vent for draining the container 33.

The area of the opening of the bore I30 is less than the total area of the holes 68; similarly, it is less than the total area of the openings 82 in the nozzle I8. The effect of these relationships will be described later.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 show a modified form of clamping yoke for clamping the dome 30 onto the dish Washer, and a similar yoke for clamping the dish washer onto the faucet.

The reference numeral I36 indicates the yok for clamping the dome 30, and comprises a bail member T-shape in cross section having inturned ends I38. The inturned ends I38 engage in prolections I formed on the underside of the margin of'the flared wall 22 on opposite sides thereof. The projections I40 are formed with depressions for accommodating the inturned ends I38. The top of the yoke I36 is formed with a thumb screw I42 threaded therethrough, which is adapted to engage a depression in a projection I44 formed on the top of the dome 30. This type of yoke has the advantage that it'can be removed entirely from the dish washer, and in addition it possesses great strength for withstanding the pressure developed in the dome 30.

The yoke I46 for securing the dish washer onto' the faucet comprises a fiat spring metal member having inturned ends I48, which are adapted to the thumb screw I04. To secure the dishwasher to the faucet, the terminal end of the legj88 is fitted under the open end thereof, the yoke I46 is applied thereto, and the thumb screw I04 tightened. In removing the dishwasher from the faucet, the yoke I46 is removed entirelyand thus thefaucet may be used in the usual way withou hindrance by a swinging yoke.

The ring 98 in this modification, that is, Figs. 10 to '12, is secured at the lower extremity of the faucet, and being spaced circumferentially from thefaucet, it serves as a guiding means for centering' :the sealing means 96 on the faucet, and" 'in'thiszmanner "the dishwasher can :be quickly attached.

Use and operation Figs. 7, 8and'9 show the various' positions of the valve ESFinthe-difierent operations of the device. These figures are oriented to agree with Fig. 2, so that in describing the positions of the valvethey may be compared with Fig. 2 as being superimposed thereon.

Fig. 8 shows the valve in sudsing position, that is, the wash water enters'into the dish washer and washes over the soap andis then discharged through the nozzle ontothefiishes. This is the position also which is shown in Fig. 4, the wash water passing .through the bore's"62, II 2, H4, t4, and into the interior of the chamber 33 of the dish washer and onto the -soap, forming suds. The water then passes through "bore "I30, into channel .I'I16, and .then passes out through the opening 1.2, through theflexible hose I8, and ultimately onto the dishes to be washed. The bore Ii30iisindicated as beingsuperimposed on Fig. 8.

'The method of directing the water onto the soap in the present invention is :an entirely new concept, one of the objects being to disintegrate the soap fast for producing a great amount of suds, and still not use an excessive amount of water. Another object is to prevent solid and penetrating streams of water from being forced directly onto the soap. The latter causes undue penetration through the soap without the benefit of proper sudsing action, since the area of the soap contacted by the water is not so great, and disintegration of the soap in fine particles does not occur.

The total area of opening of the holes 88 is greater than the opening of the outlet bore I3!) and for this reason the water level in the device in normal operation rises to the line indicated at II. As the water level rises, the air in the container 33 is compressed, and this forces the water out the hole I 30 at a faster rate, maintaining the level at approximately the level indicated. It will be noted that this level is above the holes 68 and this comprises an important aspect of this invention. Water emerging from the holes 68 spreads to a considerable extent and picks up and carries with it water which is resting in the bottom of the container 33. By this method a great amount of water is directed onto the soap, and many times, causing rapid disintegration of the soap and forming a large amount of suds. This water is churned over and over and causes an intense and persistent turbulence in the container. At the same time, water is being driven out, but before it is driven out, it is washed against the soap many times. Thus a maximum amount of suds is obtained with a minimum of water used.

Wash water on emerging from the holes 68 in the hollow plate 52 is directed against the interior of the dome 30 as shown in Fig. 4, the peripheral surface 53 of the hollow plate 52 being so shaped that the holes 68 are directed toward the dome. The streams of Water from the holes 68 spread somewhat and impinge on the inner surface of the dome over a considerable vertical extent as indicated roughly at the points I08. This area of course, is an approximation and not necessarily the exact area over which the streams spread. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 2, the lateral spread of the spray may cover an area between the points I ID. The streams on contacting the inner surface of the dome spread circumferentially as shown in-Fig. 2,'an'd merge with ad jacent streams and-are thereby directedagainst theca'keof soap ID, as indicated by the arrows. similarly, some of the Water spreading from this area travels upwardly'in the dome 3B, and at the center of the *top, the streams from all of the holes 68 convergean'd aredirected onto the top surface ofthe-c'akeo'f soap I0, as "indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4.

It will beseen that solid streams of water are not forced directly onto the soap, causing undesirable-drilling action and forming holes therethrough. Instead, it *is forced onto the soap from all directions whereby a greater area of surface of the soap is affected and greater su'dsing action is accomplished.

The 'total. opening of'the holes 82 in the nozzle is greater than the area of opening of the outlet bore 131], whereby the wash water emerges from the nozzle with less pressure than that with which it passes through the bore I39. This prevents excessive splashingwhen the water strikes thedishes.

Fig. "7shows the position of the valve 56 in rinsing position. In'this' position the opening M8 at one end of v the channel l I6 registers with the bore 62 permitting water from the tube It therethrough and into the channel H6. It then passes around the channel H6 and out the opening I2 into the flexible hose, from which it is sprayed onto the dishes. In this operation the water by-passes the soap chamber 33 and emerges as clear water.

Fig. 9 shows the position of the valve 56 in drain position. As stated before, bores I32 and I34 are in alignment, and when the valve is turned to the position shown in Fig. 9, the opening I20 registers with both these bores, I32 and I34. Bore I34 is indicated as being superimposed on Fig. 9. Also in this position, the channel II6 communicates with the openin I2. The operation of the drain is accomplished by providing a vent through the bores I32 and I34. This admits atmosphere to the chamber, and permits the water in the chamber to be drained out through the flexible hose. The water from the soap chamber does not drain out through this opening formed by the bores I32 and I34, but the water in the hose runs out and produces a syphon effect, draining the chamber.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood of course that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and I therefore contemplate by the claims appended hereto to cover any such modifications or substitutions of mechanical equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention without sacrificing any of its advantages.

I claim:

1. In a dish washer, a container for soap, a hollow plate for supporting soap in the container, said hollow plate having a plurality of peripherally spaced holes formed therein and directed upwardly and outwardly therefrom, means for conducting water through said hollow plate and through said holes into the container, the holes in said hollow plate being so directed that water emerging therefrom impinges on the inner surface of the container and thereby onto the soap, and means for conducting water from the container.

2. In a dish washer, a container for soap, supporting means within the container and spaced from the bottom thereof for supporting soap,

7. means for conducting water into the container and onto the inner surface thereof and thereby onto the soap, said container having a plurality of openings below said hollow plate, one of said Openings being adapted for flow of water therethrough and onto dishes to be Washed, another of said openings forming a vent for permitting the container to be drained through said one opening.

3. In a dish washer, a container for soap, said container having a central upwardly extending boss formed in the bottom thereof, there being an annular depression surrounding saidcentral boss, a hollow plate supported in said boss for supporting soap in the container, means for conducting water through the said central boss and said hollow plate and onto the soap, means for conducting water from said container, said container having a drain vent leading downwardly from said annular depression.

4. In a dish washer, a container for soap, means for conducting water into the container, said container having an outlet, outlet spray means leading from said outlet and having a plurality of holes formed therein for directing water onto dishes to be washed, the total area 8 of the holes in said outlet spray means 'being greater than the total area of said outlet ofthe container, whereby pressure built up in said container is partially dissipated when the water emerges from said outlet spray means.

FREDERICK W. KENT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Almond et a1. 'June 20, 1944 

